New Lenox woman is happily developing her passion

For several years, Maureen Blevins has applied for Gallery Seven's annual juried photography exhibit.

Blevins aunt, Joanne Rungaitis of Joliet, has exhibited in the show, Blevins said. And as an artist, Blevins is always seeking new ways to show her work.

This year, this New Lenox photographer had two photographs accepted into Open Lens IX: Gold Pitcher and St. Colman's steeple in Cobh County, Cork.

Blevins won an honorable mention at the gala opening on June 2. she was thrilled, especially the since Gold Pitcher was a spur of the moment shot.

"It's [the pitcher] is just something I have sitting on my shelf," Blevins said. "One morning I liked the way the sun came through the blind and I thought, 'This might have possibilities,' so I took the picture."

The one of St. Colman's steeple, Blevins took when she traveled to Ireland last year. That shot happened almost as randomly as the Gold Pitcher.

"It was late at night and I was looking for a hotel," Blevins said. "After I put my stuff in the room, I forgot something in my car. When I went back to my car, I saw it and I was like, 'Oh, my God, I have to go back for my camera!'"

An uncle who dabbled in photography introduced Blevins to the medium when she was a child: he let her photograph a religious picture hanging on a wall with his Polaroid.

From there, Blevins always took photos of her friends at various events.

But her "Uncle Joe" also instilled in Blevins an interest in travel photography or what she called "her wanderlust." And that was from pouring through his issues of National Geographic magazine.

(In an email, Blevins wrote: "On a recent trip to Arizona, I was driving and saw the moon coming up over the red rocks. I HAD to stop").

"I learned so much about the world and the places I wanted to see," Blevins said. "It just opened doors."

(Above, a castle door in Wales).

And Blevins likes shooting doors, as well as windows and cemeteries.

Blevins likes shots of people looking outside windows.

She also likes doors with interesting features or archways. Cemeteries are simply peaceful, especially cemeteries are connected with old churchyards, she said.

But Blevins likes other forms of art, too, like writing. (she currently writes two blogs) and she took many art classes in high school.

As a young mother and with a camera her husband Jerry (deceased) bought for her, Blevins enjoyed photographing their children: Shelane Blevins-Nunnery of Utah, Amber Blevins-Nastasowski Naperville and Rachel Blevins-Cowan of Joliet.

Over time Blevins shot more nature and landscapes. When traveling, Blevins said she often waits for people to move out of view before she will shoot.

She has since sold some photos and sometimes she's hired to shoot weddings, Blevins said.
What makes a good picture? Blevins finds that hard to define.

"Something unique, something that calls to me," she said. "There's a couple of picture in the gallery that are absolutely gorgeous and I don't know these particular ones. It's just art, you know? Different things appeal to different people."

Digital or film?

Digital, Blevins is quick to answer, although she added film has definite benefits, especially slide film, where the resulting image was truer to the original. But digital allows the photographer to take many shots and keep only certain ones.

"I took over 2,000 pictures when I went to Ireland," Blevins said. "I could never afford to do that with film."

(Above, Blevins' dog Bailey).

All of Blevins' children have their mother's love for photography, especially the youngest, who accompanied Blevins on photography jaunts once her older sisters started school.

"Not long ago she told me she remembered going out with me to take pictures of rainbows," Blevins said. "And driving out to the country to chase rainbows. And I'd say, 'Maybe we'll find the pot of gold?' She said. 'How many moms take their kids out to shoot rainbows?'"

KNOW MORE
Goal: "A lot of it is for my own enjoyment but it doesn't hurt to make a little cash."

Inspiration: "Photography is all about the light. There are certain times of the day, early morning or towards sunset, when the lighting is just golden. Or if you see a storm on the horizon when the sun shining on a barn. It's gorgeous, it's special. It's just not a barn anymore."

Words of wisdom: "Learn your camera and what it can do. I think knowing your camera is very important. You can miss many shots if you're not sure what you're doing."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Open Lens IX

WHEN: Through June. Gallery hours are noon to 5 Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: Gallery Seven, located in the Gaylord Building, 200 West 8th St., in Lockport

ETC: Admission is always free

INFORMATION: For Gallery Seven, call 815-483-4310 or visit www.galleryseven.net. For more information about Maureen Blevins and her art, visit www.mauveonthemove.com.